Bill Text: MS SC539 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Football Team for victory in 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC539 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-SC539-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Barnett, Blackwell, Browning, Clarke, Dearing, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, McMahan, Simmons (13th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 539
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY "BULLDOGS" FOOTBALL TEAM FOR THEIR IMPRESSIVE VICTORY OVER THE LOUISVILLE CARDINALS IN THE 2017 TAXSLAYER BOWL IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, closing out the 2017 season, Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Football Team (9-4, 4-4, SEC) defeated the Louisville "Cardinals" (8-5, 4-4, ACC) 31-27 in the TaxSlayer Bowl on December 30, 2017, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida; and
WHEREAS, coached by an interim staff led by Greg Knox, the Bulldogs put on an impressive display in all facets of the game, highlighted by big plays on each side of the ball; and
WHEREAS, with the win, the Bulldogs registered their third-consecutive bowl triumph while also improving to 13-8 all-time in bowl games. The Cardinals fell to 11-11 in bowl appearances; and
WHEREAS, with Junior Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald out with an ankle injury, true Freshman Keytaon Thompson made his first-ever start at quarterback and put on a record-breaking performance in the win. Thompson finished 11-of-20 passing for 127 yards and one interception, while also rushing 27 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Ultimately, Mississippi State University racked up 404 yards of offense behind Thompson's leadership; and
WHEREAS, junior safety Mark McLaurin was named the TaxSlayer Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) after recording three interceptions on the day, contributing to four total picks the Bulldogs had in the game. Mississippi State University also recorded six pass break-ups and six stacks, capping a strong day by the defense. University of Louisville led 21-17 at halftime and 24-17 through three quarters, but Mississippi State rallied to outscore Louisville 14-3 in the final period on the strength of two of Thompson's three rushing touchdowns, as well as two of McLaurin's three interceptions. Mississippi State will begin its 2018 season under first-year Head Coach Joe Moorhead with spring practice in March; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi State's 2017 season will be remembered for many things other than its 9-4 record: Change, Adversity, and Resiliency and when the season ended, it did so with a win; and WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Football Team Roster is: Brandon Bryant, DB; Logan Burnett, ATH; Jamal Peters, DB; Traver Jung, LB; Gerri Green, LB; Gabe Myles, WR; Willie Gay, Jr., LB; Donald Gray, WR; Tolando Cleveland, DB; Nick Fitzgerald, QB; Kylin Hill, RB; Malik Dear, WR; Montez Sweat, DL; Leo Lewis, LB; Keytaon Thompson, QB; Dezmond Harris, LB; J.T. Gray, DB; Rip Kirk, ATH; Cameron Dantzler, DB; Braden Smith, ATH; Mitch Hood, ATH; Korey Charles, DB; Kareem Vance, Jr., ATH; Jamal Couch, WR; Londyn Craft, ATH; Deddrick Thomas, WR; Travis O'Connor, ATH; Taury Dixon, ATH; Reggie Todd, WR; Nick Gibson, RB; Blake Armour, ATH; Aeris Williams, RB; Raymond Freeman, ATH; Keith Mixon, WR; Allen Perkins, ATH; Chris Rayford, DB; Lashard Durr, DB; Jordan Lawless, K; Alec Murphy, RB; Kody Schexnayder, P; Jaquarius Landrews, DB; Dontavian Lee, RB; Tristan Pisacane, ATH; C.J. Morgan, DB; Dan Mills, K; Maurice Smitherman, DB; Brian Cole, DB; Tyler Williams, DB; Cory Thomas, DL; Landon Guidry, DB; Bennie Braswell III, ATH; Brad Wall, ATH; Johnathan Abram, DB; Nathan Swanson, ATH; Wyatt Powell, ATH; Erroll Thompson, LB; Mark McLaurin, DB; Tucker Day, K/P; Marquiss Spencer, DL; Fletcher Adams, DL; Logan Cooke, P/K; Aadreekis Conner, ATH; Josiah Phillips, LB; Aaron Odom, DL; Jace Christmann, K; Chris Redmon, ATH; Stephen Adegoke, ATH; Tim Washington, LB; R.J. Jennings, ATH; Stewart Reese, OL; Kobe Jones, DL; Hunter Bradley, SN; Cameron Miller, ATH; Blake Mitchell, ATH; Martinas Rankin, OL; Dareuan Parker, OL; Tyler Dunning, LB; Greg Eiland, OL; Deion Calhoun, OL; Cordavien Suggs, OL; Brett Armour, ATH; Joel Baldwin, SN; Michael Story, OL; Harry Parker, ATH; Tommy Champion, OL; Ronald Cochran, OL; Darryl Williams, OL; Elgton Jenkins, OL; Harrison Moon, OL; Tyre Phillips, OL; Evans Wilkerson, OL; Christian Roberson, TE; Justin Johnson, TE; Farrod Green, TE; Jordan Thomas, TE; Dontea Jones, TE; Austin Williams, WR; Jesse Jackson, WR; Osirus Mitchell, WR; Aaron Hamker, TE; Sherman Timbs, ATH; Powers Warren, TE; Grant Harris, DL; James Jackson, DL; Kendall Jones, DL; Chauncey Rivers, DL; Jeffery Simmons, DL; Braxton Hoyett, DL; Tre Brown, DL; Lee Autry, DL; and Interim Head Coach Greg Knox; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this group of outstanding university athletes who have represented their school, their community and the State of Mississippi with honor:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Football Championship Team for their impressive victory over the Louisville Cardinals in the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Knox for the team, forwarded to Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
